sat1 zyu1 gaau1 bei3失諸交臂失诸交臂

Jyutpingsat1 zyu1 gaau1 bei3

Yalesāt jyū gāau bei

語句

Definition

To miss a great opportunity; to let a good chance slip by.

writtenother

How it's used

This idiom carries a sense of regret for a missed chance that was almost within reach. It is formal in tone and typically reserved for significant events like business deals, career advancements, or major life choices. Using it in casual conversation about trivial matters can sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋caa1差di1啲zau6就cim1簽dou3到joek3約，zeoi3最hau6後sat1失zyu1諸gaau1交bei3臂。

They almost signed the contract, but ended up missing the opportunity.

gam3咁hou2好ge3嘅gei1機wui6會，nei5你zan1真hai6係soeng2想sat1失zyu1諸gaau1交bei3臂me1咩？

Such a good opportunity, do you really want to let it slip by?

Common phrases

ho2可sik1惜sat1失zyu1諸gaau1交bei3臂

a pity to have missed the opportunity

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple verb like 錯過. Remember that it functions as a set phrase describing a specific state of missing out on something that was nearly grasped, rather than just a general failure to attend or participate.